UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J. – A late April call-up from the Ireland Under-21 team was turned down by his Red Bulls club and now a hip injury is keeping New York goalkeeper Ryan Meara from the start of his international career.

Meara was originally called up by the Irish side for two international games this past May but his club team blocked the rookie goalkeeper from accepting the call. Meara had the opportunity this past week to be a part of Ireland’s U-21s again when they host Turkey this week but had to turn down the call due to a hip injury.

“I got a call in actually for this week,” Meara said when asked by BigAppleSoccer.com for an update in his international status.

“With this injury the timing wasn’t right.”

Meara hasn’t played for New York since July 8, a 2-0 loss at New England. A hip injury flared up after this game and while it isn’t season ending, it has been enough to derail the campaign of a player who, a month ago, looked like the top newcomer in the league.

Coach Hans Backe said that even if fit Meara won’t be an automatic selection on Sunday when New York Bulls host Portland.

For now, Meara is continuing to eye a return to health and quite possibly a call from Ireland soon. He said the U.S. National Team has not reached out to him about their plans for including him.

After hosting Turkey, Ireland’s U-21’s return to the field in September for a match against Hungary and then in October has a match in Italy.

“Hopefully if I’m fit and healthy I can head over there [in September],” Meara said.